Burial at Marietta National Cemetery: A family guide

History of Marietta National Cemetery

During the Civil War, forces under the command of General William Tecumseh Sherman moved in and occupied the town. For the next five months, federal troops held the city under siege. In November 1864, troops commanded by Union General Hugh Kilpatrick set the town on fire before embarking on their infamous "March to the Sea."

Originally known as the "Marietta and Atlanta National Cemetery," the Marietta National Cemetery was established in 1866 to provide a suitable resting place for the nearly 10,000 Union dead from Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. Henry Cole, a local merchant who remained loyal to the Union throughout the war, offered land for a burial ground for both Union and Confederate dead. His hope was that by honoring those who had fallen together, others might learn to live in peace. Unfortunately, both sides clung to their bitterness and neither North nor South would accept Cole's offer toward reconciliation. When this effort failed, 24 acres were offered to General George H. Thomas for use of a national cemetery. In 1867 a second offer of land by Cole was accepted and a subsequent purchase of additional acreage in 1870 brought the cemetery to its present size of a little over 23 acres.

The cemetery site was, at one time, the proposed location of the capital of the Confederate States of America. The same Henry Cole who had attempted to donate his land for the national cemetery had refused an offer of $50,000 for the property because he "expected to put it to a better purpose." In recognition of Cole's gift, the government made express provision that a burial plat be set-aside for members of his family. Cole died April 18,1875, and was buried in what is now called the Cole Plot.

Daniel Webster Cole, son of the land donor, lived for many years in the family home across the street from the cemetery. A construction engineer, he drew the first map of the cemetery, which was later the basis for official layouts. The original sections of the cemetery were arranged in concentric circles around a flagstaff with paths radiating through the circles. The first interments were the remains of soldiers who had been buried where they fell. A granite memorial arch at the cemetery gate is inscribed: "Here rest the remains of 10,312 Officers and Soldiers who died in defense of the Union 1861–1865." Marietta National Cemetery was laid out by Union Army Chaplain Thomas B. Van Horne, who also laid out the Chattanooga National Cemetery. One of the national cemeteries constructed between 1861–1869, the design for Marietta National Cemetery was the most ornate and elaborate of its era.

Notable veterans buried at Marietta National Cemetery

The National Cemetery Administration documents the following veterans of note buried at Marietta National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded in the cemetery's official register.

• Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Recipients receive the Medal of Honor from the President on behalf of Congress. It was first awarded during the Civil War and the eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved over time. There are 434 Medal of Honor recipients interred at VA national cemeteries including 6 double recipients.
• » Medal of Honor recipients interred or memorialized here:
• Private Dennis B. Buckley (Civil War). He received the Medal of Honor posthumously for service in the U.S. Army, Company G, 136th New York Infantry, in recognition of actions at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864. He died that day and is buried in Section G, Site 6686.
• Corporal Lee Hugh Phillips (Korea). He received the Medal of Honor while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, in recognition of great personal valor and risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in Korea, November 4, 1950. He was killed in action on November 27, 1950, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and is memorialized in Section MB, Site 8.
• Other Burials John Clark, who distinguished himself as a soldier and civil servant, fought in the Revolutionary War and rose to the rank of major general. He served in the House of Representatives 1801–1803, Georgia Senate 1803–1804.
• Commander William Beauford Fields (Korea, Vietnam). "Willie" Fields (1929–1992) was an American competition rower, Olympic gold medalist, and an officer in the U.S. Navy. He hailed from Forsyth, Georgia, and attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1954. In 1952, the Naval Academy's Rowing Crew participated in the 1952 Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki as the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team. Fields was a member of the team that defeated the Soviet Union and Australia to win the Gold Medal. Following his graduation from Annapolis, he served in Korea and Vietnam and retired in 1977 as a Commander. Following his retirement, he returned to Georgia and became a high school crew coach. He passed away in 1992 and now rests in Section D, Site 2631-A-1.
• Major General Crump Garvin U.S. Army was buried on September 10, 1990. He served for 38 years.

Eligibility for burial at Marietta National Cemetery

Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.

The Department of Veterans Affairs covers the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a U.S. burial flag at no cost to eligible families.

Visiting hours

Visitation Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset. Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed federal holidays. Office is located at Georgia National Cemetery.

How to schedule a burial at Marietta National Cemetery

1. The funeral home or family contacts the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117 (24/7 for active funeral arrangements).
2. Provide the veteran's full name, date of birth, social security number, dates of service, branch, and date of death.
3. Fax or email the DD-214 to the cemetery's interment office for verification.
4. Once eligibility is confirmed (typically 30–60 minutes for complete documentation), the cemetery assigns a date, time, and committal shelter.
5. The funeral home transports the deceased to Marietta National Cemetery at the assigned time. The cemetery handles opening, closing, and perpetual care from that point.

Where Marietta National Cemetery sits in the Georgia cemetery system

Marietta National Cemetery is one of the veteran cemeteries operating in Georgia. The cemetery is currently closed to new in-ground burials but may accept cremated remains in some cases. Families should verify status before planning.

For families considering alternatives, the nearest veteran cemeteries appear in our cemetery sidebar. If Marietta National Cemetery is fully reserved, those alternatives are typically the next options.